6. Register for TrueFiling only once

If you have already registered for TrueFiling in one District Court of Appeal, DO NOT register again. You will be able to add the Third and Fifth DCAs to your existing TrueFiling account (see “Adding the Fifth District as a Favorite Court—For Panel Attorneys Who Practice in the First District” in our How to Register step-by-step guide).

Also, a law firm with multiple attorneys will only register for TrueFiling one time. Once one attorney registers the firm, he or she can invite the other attorneys in the firm to join (see How to Register step-by-step guide).

7. What about original "wet" signatures for the Word Count certificate and the Proof of Service?

For the Word Count, provide the count and maintain the signed copy in your file (a good business practice).

For the Proof of Service, the Third and Fifth District Courts of Appeal are applying Rules of Court, rule 8.78(f)(3) and their local rules. (See Ct. App. Fifth Dist., Local Rules, rule 8(c) Electronic Filing, Ct. App. Third Dist., Local Rules, rule 5(e)(7), (f) Electronic Filing). The party filing the proof of service must maintain the printed form of the document bearing the declarant’s signature and must make the document available for inspection and copying at the court's request.

Important Note: For signatures on e-filed documents, type "/S/ YOUR NAME" above the signature line or leave it blank. DO NOT use a color font signature!

8. Can I use my normal business email for TrueFiling, or use another one?

A: It is your choice. Some attorneys prefer not to maintain more than one email address that they must check. Counsel is strongly encouraged, however, to consider whether it suits their practice to set up a standardized separate email address with either their current email provider or with a free email service provider such as Gmail or Yahoo for this. This email address may also be listed on the appointment order.

The Sacramento and Fresno criminal law divisions of the Attorney General’s office and CCAP have agreed not to lodge complaints with the court about irregularities spotted in formatting in opposing counsel’s briefs and other filed documents. We are extending a professional courtesy to each other concerning TrueFiling formatting issues, including both bookmarking and pagination requirements. If panel attorneys find formatting mistakes, the Attorney General’s office has offered to fix the problem immediately and send counsel a corrected copy. Panel attorneys should contact CCAP resources and we will contact the Attorney General’s office on your behalf. This kind of mutual understanding and tolerance will allow everyone to have a reasonable learning curve under an umbrella of cooperation. If counsel encounters a different reaction from an individual DAG, please promptly contact CCAP resources.

10. Do I have to pay the TrueFiling convenience fees?

A: Yes. Court administrators at both the Third and the Fifth have confirmed that appointed counsel should pay the required fee for TrueFiling a document (currently at $7.50 per document) and the eService fee IF you choose to also e-serve via the TrueFiling process (currently at $3.00 per document). Panel attorneys need to provide TrueFiling with a credit card or debit card to complete all e-filing transactions. Pre-paid debit cards, like debit cards tied to a bank account, are acceptable. Because panel attorneys will be reimbursed for these fees, there is no court procedure for panel attorneys to apply for a fee waiver. Note: Fees are required notwithstanding the appointed counsel fee waiver button that appears on the filing screen. Fee waivers apply only to indigent non-represented appellants.

Many panel attorneys choose to save the eService fees charged by TrueFiling by opting instead to electronically serve the AG, other counsel, and the project directly via their own email. (See our TF eService page instructions.)

11. Will I be reimbursed for the TrueFiling convenience fees?

A: Yes. All TrueFiling fees are reimbursable for panel attorneys. Claim the fees on expense line #9 in eClaims; add a comment, "TrueFiling fees."

12. I have a question not answered here

We welcome your input, insights, thoughts and concerns. We know that input from the panel strengthens our mutual understanding for the benefit of the entire system, and for that we sincerely thank you.
CCAP is also available for consultations regarding court filing requirements in TrueFiling. Please feel free to contact staff attorney Joanne Kirchner by phone or email.